Data protection 2025: Your rights and obligations at a glance!

Data protection 2025: Your rights and obligations at a glance!

Today, September 4, 2025, the topic of data protection becomes topical again. In times when personal data is more in focus than ever, Radio Bremen provides information in a current article about how tracking pixels are used for the anonymized analysis of surfing behavior. What’s special about it? Technically, it should not be possible to draw conclusions about individual persons, which strengthens the protection of users' privacy. The ability to object to data collection by AT Internet or Piano Analytics creates a further level of control for users. What is particularly noteworthy is that when external content is activated, such as videos from the ARD media library or posts on Facebook, a connection is immediately established with the respective provider. If necessary, users have the option to easily obtain their consent again if they have previously deactivated it. This shows how important adapting to individual preferences has become in the digital world.

But what is behind these regulations? Data protection has become more important in recent years, particularly with the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The central principles of this regulation remain unaffected: “Purpose limitation” and “data minimization” are still of great importance. Data may only be used for specified purposes - for example, an address for sending a book, but not for advertising. New principles such as “Privacy by Design” and “Privacy by Default” must integrate data protection into technologies from the outset and promote privacy-friendly default settings.

Focus on consumer rights

A look at consumer rights shows that the GDPR offers essential protections. This includes the right to information and information, which enables users to find out about the purpose and type of planned processing before data is collected. Consumers can also request information about their stored data and do so informally, without having to give a specific reason. Bad mistake? Incorrect or unlawfully collected data can be easily corrected, and the right to have your own data deleted is also clearly regulated. The following applies here: If consent is revoked or if the data is processed unlawfully, companies must take action.

• Recht auf Auskunft: Kostenlos gültig, auch für die erste Kopie.
• Recht auf Berichtigung: Korrektur von falschen Daten möglich.
• Recht auf Löschung: Daten müssen unter bestimmten Umständen gelöscht werden.
• Recht auf Widerspruch: Jederzeit und kostenlos möglich, besonders bei Werbung.
• Recht auf Datenmitnahme: Nutzer können ihre Daten in einem gängigen Format verlangen.

Especially at a time when digital communication and data protection play a central role, consumers need to be well informed. Websites must not only inform their users about their rights, but also be transparent about how data is processed. It is therefore important to take a look at your own data and be aware of your rights. In today's world, where data is the new gold, it is essential to take responsibility and act in a timely manner. If you want to exercise your right to object or delete the information, the source of information is often just a click away.

For anyone who would like to find out more about their rights and data protection, the information is available on the pages of BMJV and Consumer headquarters indispensable. Being informed protects!